27We dropped the subject and enjoyed each other's company for once. Around noon, they left so they could get back to their village before sunset. After seeing them off, I tried to return to my room. The second I opened the door, I was pulled in and given a bath. I could tell that someone was a little upset because of my visitors. After being soaked from head to toe and getting scrubbed as though I had weeks' worth of dirt on my body, I was dried. I was going to have a nice chat with Sesshomaru. At least that was my plan until the maids started to really dress me up. They took their time as they dressed me in a couple of layers until they put on the last one. It was bluish-black with a mountain depicted on it. In the sky depicted near my chest, a crescent moon hung, with golden and white rays softly radiating off of it. My hair was held flat until it dried, and was then brushed. The maids painted my face in makeup and then left me in the room.
'I think something special is going down today.' [Me]
You think? [I]
Could you stop being rude for a second? [Myself]
'Why you gotta be so rude?' [Me]
Don't start that. [Myself]
Oh, so you can be rude and I can't? [I]
That wasn't being rude. [Myself]
Then how was I rude? If anything, I was sarcastic! [I]
Kill me now. [Myself]
'What would be going on, and why wouldn't Sesshomaru tell me about it?' [Me]
I'd guess that it's a surprise. [I]
'Still, he would at least have told me a couple of minutes before, right?' [Me]
Well you were hanging out with InuYasha and Kagome, weren't you? [Myself]
'Oh yeah… that's probably why…'[Me]
I wonder what it is. [Myself]
Just don't embarrass us. [I]
'I'd rather die than embarrass myself. Who knows what my manners teacher would do, and I honestly don't want to find out.' [Me]
I laid down against the bed and took a deep breath. It was time to become as stolid and unemotional and impassive and indifferent and cold and unresponsive as possible. If those people were to see the smallest flaw in me, they would never let it down.
After shaking the nerves out of my body, a maid came and told me to follow her. I have no idea what is happening, but I'll go through with it anyway. I couldn't stop my mind from wandering. What was going to happen? Was it another dinner with some other noble? Maybe his mother was visiting again. I doubt that though, I wouldn't be this fancy for his mother. She likes me the way I am. Yeah, it's probably another dinner.
I was close enough. I just underestimated. We had about, umm… one, two, three,… fifty. I honestly should have known better. Sesshomaru wouldn't have decked me out in all this fancy gear for just two or three nobles. Anyway, when I walked out, I was surprised to see so many demons with such domineering presences all at once. I let go of the surprise and smiled warmly at the first few I greeted. I ignored the glares I received from majority of the young women, and tried to be a good hostess.
That was until Sesshomaru entered. Like I had been taught, I stopped talking. "Once in the presence of the dominant male, one should refrain from speaking unless given permission by the dominant male." That's what Teach taught. A lot of the rules of this day don't make sense to me. Majority of them deal with dominance… I wonder why. I know, I know, it's patriarchy with all its male glory, but still. It's like dominance left and right. Why can't we all just love each other for who we are, male or female? Why must one be subordinate? Sure, there's the whole "someone has to be in charge" argument but still. Anyway, that's beside the point. Wait, what was my point? …When it comes to customs and traditions, you just don't question it sometimes. Being dominant doesn't really have anything to do with loving each other, does it? No! Stay on topic! Don't let your fatal flaw of not being able to stay on topic when writing English essays get to you!
Once Sesshomaru spotted me, he came over. The people parted, not daring to obstruct his way. I waited silently as he signaled his approval of me speaking. The first thing I did was bow and give my short vote of thanks.
"I thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."
Doesn't seem like much, right? Wrong, Teach told me that once someone forgot to do that little thank you sign and was sentenced to death for it. I know Sesshomaru wouldn't kill me over it, but it would be a huge deal to overlook apparently. I don't know the history of all these things that are required and stuff, but I do know that I have to do it.
He held his hand out, and I took it of course. Everyone continued with their own conversations, and most of them took their eyes off of me. Sesshomaru led me to the group of six demons with the largest auras. As we approached, the man with red hair was the first to come out and say something.
"I knew that when you settled on a mate, she would be a fine catch, but I didn't think she would be such a jewel." He said as he looked over me.
"I would accept no less."
After catching up a bit more, Sesshomaru finally introduced me.
"Kazumi, this is the lord of the eastern lands, Ryuu, and his mate. The one beside him is Ren, lord of the northern lands. Then there is Karou, lord of the southern lands and his mate."
"I am honored to be in your presences." I said as I bowed.
"We have been waiting to see the woman that wooed the cold lord of the western lands." Ren commented.
"I am glad that I have met your expectations." I said with a smile.
"I suggest not showing that smile to others. Even Sesshomaru can get jealous." Ryuu cautioned.
"My lord has nothing to be jealous of. I do not plan on straying from his side."
After a day of meeting and greeting, and a night of drinking and revelling, I was exhausted and drunk. I went out to the balcony to get some fresh air. Even though it's sophisticated, those demons sure do know how to party hard. For my first time drinking, I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I'm scared my liver might shut down, but that's okay. I'll grow a new one. Who would have thought that, that so many people would give toasts? There's not even a toaster here! After hiccupping, I lost the little balance I had. I was lucky enough to be caught by a nice fellow that was also out getting air. I was kind of surprised to see that it was the lord of the northern lands.
"You must be careful; otherwise someone might snatch you away from Sesshomaru."
"Thank you for the advice." I said as I bowed apologetically.
When I returned to my standing position, the lord spoke again.
"These Inus have a tendency of choosing a second woman to keep steady with. If Sesshomaru proves to be the same, I will not hesitate to take you from him." He stated bluntly.
It took me a minute to get the alcohol far enough from my brain to interpret what he had said. I looked at him in shock. It scared me, how easily he could say that. This was the "party" telling everyone our intention of getting mated, and here he was saying that he would take me if Sesshomaru found another. Isn't he supposed to encourage us? I'm very confused now.
"There is no need to be confused. I am letting you know what will happen if Sesshomaru lets you go, even for the slightest moment. I am sure the other lords would do the same if they were not already mated. Some audacious ones would even try to put you in their court."
"Thank you for letting me know this, but I believe it is time for me to return to the event. " I said as I walked past him
Even doing that sent a chill down my back. Were the people here even truly reveling, or were they scouting for a new thing to call their own?
A/N: Hey guys… been a while hasn't it? Sorry for the huge hiatus, but it's Christmas Break! XD
I'll try really hard to get some more of this story out! Thanks to all the people that stayed with me, and to those who still fav. Or followed the story even though it hadn't been updated in a really long time. I really do appreciate all of the support, and I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Hopefully, I'll have another chapter up tomorrow!